Seeing the path: Kelly attended Bishop Verot High School in Ft. Myers, Florida. She was a member of the Bishop Verot High School Competition team that placed 2nd in the nation. She later attended South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing.  She continued developing the passion for dance through college at the University of South Carolina and taught Cheer and Dance Camps throughout the country for Dynamic Cheer Association. DCA is where her passion for dance and coaching exploded.  DCA is where "spirit presents" started along with the famous "quote book" that is passed around at the end of practices. 

 

Building the Road: Kelly started as the coach of the Dowling Catholic Dance Team where she led the team to their first trip to the Iowa State Dance Team Championships, placing 3rd.  Her career at Dowling Catholic resulted in 10 State Championship Titles and top 10 placings at the NDA National Dance Team Championships including the 2004 2nd Place National Pom Champions.

 

Setting the Course:  It was only a matter of time before her insatiable need to share her love of dance, cheerleading and tumbling led to Kelly founding the Iowa C.A.T.S. All Stars in 2007. The Iowa C.A.T.S are the first All Star Dance Team in Iowa.  She has choreographed and coached multiple high point solo and group awards, as well receiving outstanding choreography achievements as well as leading the Iowa C.A.T.S. to the 2017 National Senior Pom Champions and 2021 National All Star Junior Contemporary Champions.  

She continues to produce winning teams with consistent Top 10 standings at the USASF Dance Worlds and Dance Summit Nationals with the most recent 2025 Junior Variety Dance Summit Champions.   She continues her dance education by taking workshop classes and technique from famous dancers and choreographers such as Danny Lawn, Ray Leaper, Stacey Tookey, Travis Wall, Adrian Lee, Caitlin Kinney, Chebar Williams, Bonnie Taylor and Mandy Moore. In April of 2010, the same passion lead to the  opening of Dream Dance Company, now known as the Iowa C.A.T.S. Dance Company.

 

Enjoying the Destination:  The studio and team not only grows in size each year, but in skill and personal development. This is all a reflection of Kelly's deep care of dance and the students.